A quartet of Tigers recently received the prestigious Critical Language Scholarship (CLS), an intensive overseas language and cultural immersion group-based program for American students enrolled at U.S. colleges and universities. The award provides students the opportunity to spend eight to 10 weeks abroad studying one of 14 critical languages and is granted by the U.S. Department of State.

The program is part of a wider government initiative to expand the number of Americans studying and mastering foreign languages that are critical to national security and economic prosperity. CLS plays an important role in preparing students for the 21st century’s globalized workforce and increasing national competitiveness.

Here are this year’s recipients from the University of Missouri.

• Gwenna Keckler: Senior political science and economics major, who is also pursuing the Honors certificate, from Littleton, Colorado. Will study Arabic.
• Jasmin Kim: Junior nursing major, who is also pursuing the Honors certificate, from St. Louis. Will study Arabic.
• Kassie Steger: Senior math and psychology major from O’Fallon, Missouri. Will study Chinese.
• Hanna Watson: Senior interdisciplinary studies and constitutional democracy major from Jefferon City, Missouri. Will study Hindi.